Every year, countless headphones arrive at my home for testing and evaluation — and when I say countless, I genuinely mean an overwhelming number. Many of these models occupy the higher end of most consumers’ spending range, and their prices continue to climb due to rising tariffs and industry-wide cost increases. Yet, despite this ongoing trend toward premium pricing, it is entirely possible to acquire headphones that deliver truly satisfying performance without committing to a major financial investment. While inexpensive models may not quite match the gold-standard offerings from brands such as Sony, Bose, or Sennheiser — companies renowned for their impeccable craftsmanship, class-leading active noise cancellation, and refined sound engineering — there remain numerous budget-friendly alternatives that exceed expectations. Among these more economical gems is the Soundcore Space One, a pair of headphones currently discounted to an all-time low of $67.99 for Cyber Monday, available through major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.
Although the Space One is no longer a brand-new release — with a couple of years having passed since its debut — it continues to represent an exceptional value proposition within the affordable audio category. Its design prioritizes comfort to a remarkable degree, making it suitable for marathon listening sessions, whether during long workdays, cross-country flights, or evening relaxation. The headphones boast an impressive battery capacity, providing up to forty hours of playback time with active noise cancellation engaged, which ensures uninterrupted listening even on some of the world’s longest travel routes. Being of the over-ear variety, they inherently block out a notable amount of ambient sound through passive isolation. However, once the active noise cancellation is enabled, the effect becomes significantly more pronounced: low-frequency disturbances, such as the incessant hum of aircraft engines or the chatter of nearby passengers, are effectively minimized. While the Space One’s ANC capability and acoustic refinement may not quite reach the meticulous precision of Sony’s WH-1000XM6 or Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, its performance remains commendable, especially considering it costs only a fraction of those flagship models.
In terms of sound signature, the Space One tends to emphasize both ends of the frequency spectrum, delivering a slightly boosted bass response along with a brighter treble presentation. This tuning creates a lively and energetic sound profile that some listeners may find immediately engaging. Yet, for users who prefer personalization, the accompanying Anker mobile application offers extensive control through over twenty preset equalization modes and a versatile eight-band manual EQ for fine-tuning to individual tastes. The app also features the company’s proprietary HearID Sound system — an intelligent listening test that guides the user through a series of auditory comparisons to calibrate playback according to their unique hearing characteristics. As an additional measure of care, a built-in loudness meter monitors listening levels and alerts the user when volumes approach potentially harmful thresholds, promoting safer, more responsible listening habits.
Anker’s ability to offer these headphones at such a competitive price stems partly from practical design choices intended to keep manufacturing costs in check. For example, instead of supplying a rigid protective carry case, the company includes a soft cloth pouch — a thoughtful yet minimal solution that provides basic portability while subtly encouraging users to treat their gear with gentler handling. Beyond that minor compromise, however, the Space One leaves little room for complaint. Its balanced blend of high-quality active noise cancellation, surprisingly rich sonic performance, exceptional comfort, and extensive battery endurance make it one of the most compelling sub-$100 headphone options currently on the market. At just $68, purchasing the Soundcore Space One is not only a smart and economical decision but also a rewarding way to experience premium audio performance without straining your budget.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/gadgets/834274/anker-soundcore-space-one-headphones-cyber-monday-deal-sale-2025
